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that the NYPD was working on a documentary with Michael K. Williams that was in the early development stage
EXCLUSIVE: 'He was the ultimate messenger.' Michael K. Williams was working with the NYPD on a documentary to help heal the divide between police and the public, distraught cop reveals
Police sources tell DailyMail.com that the NYPD was working on a documentary with Michael K. Williams that was in the early development stage
The documentary series was expected to explore what the future of policing would look like, with the goal to have cops and the community work together
Williams was born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and spent his childhood in the projects surrounded by drugs and violence
The sources described Williams as an ideal ambassador between cops and the community given his background
Williams saw first-hand how family and friends were caught up in the criminal justice system - with one of his nephews incarcerated for 25 years at age 19
The beloved actor, 54, was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment Monday and died of a suspected drug overdose
The NYPD was working with Michael K. Williams on a documentary series that would explore what the future of policing would look like – showing what cops and the community can accomplish when they work hand in hand, sources familiar with the collaboration told DailyMail.com exclusively.
Williams, 54, was found unconscious and face-down in the living room of his Williamsburg apartment by his nephew on Monday afternoon and died of a suspected drug overdose.
Distraught police sources described Williams as the 'ultimate credible messenger' and an ideal ambassador between cops and the community, given his story growing up in the housing projects of Brooklyn and seeing first-hand how family and friends got caught up in the criminal justice system.
The sources added that Williams 'cared deeply' and wanted nothing more than to heal the divide between police and community through understanding and meaningful progress.
The documentary series was expected to explore what the future of policing would look like, with the goal to have cops and the community work together. Williams is pictured with an NYPD officer
Williams appeared alongside his nephew Dominic Dupont in a 2018 VICE documentary titled Raised In The System. His nephew Dominic was sentenced to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder at age 19
Sources added that the documentary was in the early developmental stages, with a tentative pitch and plan of action — but no footage had been shot yet.
It was also undetermined who would own the project, but Williams had a third party who could and would film it and the NYPD was on board.
NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea confirmed on Tuesday that he met with Williams to discuss a partnership, without divulging exactly what it was.
'I met Michael earlier this year. We had met and tried to collaborate on doing things with the police department with him,' Shea told Good Day New York.
Williams was the perfect candidate for the job, having appeared in the 2018 VICE documentary Raised In The System, which examined the juvenile justice system.
Williams, who grew up in the Vanderveer public housing complex in Brooklyn, New York, explained in the documentary how he's seen both family and close friends fall into the criminal justice system from a young age.
He appeared alongside his nephew Dominic Dupont who was sentenced to 25 years in prison for second-degree murder at age 19.
Williams was born in East Flatbush, Brooklyn and spent his childhood in the projects surrounded by drugs and violence.
As a young boy, he was sexually molested. He told The New York Times that that experience left him confused about his own sexuality and caused him to be withdrawn.
Williams eventually enrolled in New York City's National Black Theatre, and kickstarted his career as a dancer, scoring parts in music videos by Madonna and George Michael.
On the eve of his 25th birthday, in 1991, Williams attempted to intervene when a group of muggers jumped one of his friends.
One of the attackers pulled out a blade and slashed him, leaving him with a long, distinctive scar down the front of his face and neck.
Williams said that changed the trajectory of his career.
'Things changed immediately after that,' Williams told NPR during a 2014 interview.
'Directors didn't want me just to dance in the videos any more. They wanted me to act out these thug roles, you know, like - Mike, roll these - roll these dice in this video. Have this fight in this video. I was like, all right,' he said
Williams, who is best known as the star of The Wire, was found dead in his Brooklyn apartment. He is seen above as Omar Little from The Wire
On Monday, Williams's nephew Arvance Williams told DailyMail.com that his famous uncle was excited about jetting to Los Angeles to attend the Emmys in less than two weeks time.
He was nominated for the award for his role in last year's HBO drama series 'Lovecraft Country,' for which he was a favorite to win the award.
'I was just with him. I just bought him some fabric so he can go to the Emmys, to put under his blazer. He just got nominated for an Emmy, and he was going to LA, so he was real excited about that,' Arvance Williams told DailyMail.com.
'You guys know him as the actor, we know him as Uncle Mike. We love him.
'My uncle was such a sweet person. A lot of the characters he played as mean and gangster. It was a joke, because he was totally not that way. Hw was a sweetheart. … A very gentle, gentle person. And I just look at some of the stuff he was doing [on screen] and I would just laugh because that's totally not him.'
Williams was best known for his role in the 'The Wire,' which ran from 2002 to 2008. More recently, Williams earned praise for his role in last year's drama, 'Lovecraft Country, for which he was a favorite to win the award.
HBO said in a statement following the news of Williams's death, saying, 'We are devastated to learn of the passing of Michael K. Williams, a member of the HBO family for more than 20 years.'
'While the world is aware of his immense talents as an artist, we knew Michael as a dear friend who was beloved by all who had the privilege to work with him. We send our deepest condolences to his family for this immeasurable loss.'
Williams is survived by an adult son named Elijah.
The star was last linked to actress Tasha Smith, who last shared a snap of herself with Williams late last year.